April 13 / 15.45 Taunton

15.45

Good

Annie Barrett Birthday Handicap Chase

  • Prize money: £5439.43
  • 2m 7f 3y
  • Class 5
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
Annie Barrett Birthday Handicap Chase

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.88
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 243216 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 13lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Beaten a fair way out at Chepstow three weeks ago (soft) but he acts well here and was suited by this C&D on good ground when he got the better of a previous winner on penultimate start; should be competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

19th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

15:05 Exeter

Imperial Joe

11st 10lb

J: Mr Jake Bament

T: Tim Dennis

in touch with leaders

10/1

1st

4

19th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

2m 3f 48y

Class 5

15:05 Exeter

Imperial Joe

11st 10lb

J: Mr Jake Bament

T: Tim Dennis

in touch with leaders

10/1

3rd

3

28th Nov 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 40y

Class 5

15:10 Taunton

Imperial Joe

11st 12lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Tim Dennis

All three chase wins have been over further, the last two here at 2m7f; below his best when last seen in June.

20/1

OUR TIP

8/1

  • Place: £2.60

Form: 673778

Last run: 20 days

W: 12st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Long time since he showed anything approximating his best form and he dropped right out at Newbury 20 days ago; hard to have much faith in a revival but at least he's in a lower grade today; cheekpieces are refitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

14th Jun 2023

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

14:00 Newton Abbot

Milanford

12st 0lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Max Young

Runner-up at Taunton in April and claims on that but 0-13 as a chaser and only win came in a point more than three years ago; debut for Max Young, having been trained by the owner for last eight starts.

12/1

6

8th May 2023

Good

2m 7f 0y

Class 5

13:15 Worcester

Milanford

11st 8lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Syd Hosie

Nothing like the force of old and very inconsistent in recent years to boot; ran well for a long way when second at Taunton (2m7f, good to soft; refitted cheekpieces) last month but it's hard to tell whether he'll warm to the task here.

11/2

2nd

1

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:45 Taunton

Milanford

12st 2lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Syd Hosie

prominent, led 14th, pushed along when headed before 3 out, led again before 2 out

8/1

9/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: U3P252

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Sole win in a novice hurdle in late 2020; had ups and downs since and although he did better when runner-up over 2m7f at Huntingdon in January (good to soft) he's been on the back foot in two subsequent runs.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

25th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:35 Warwick

Furkash

11st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Bumped into revitalised opponent when second at Plumpton (3m1f, good) this month and remains on a workable mark but he's now 0-17 over fences and others have more potential; tongue-tie added.

11/2

9th

7

25th Apr 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:35 Warwick

Furkash

11st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Bumped into revitalised opponent when second at Plumpton (3m1f, good) this month and remains on a workable mark but he's now 0-17 over fences and others have more potential; tongue-tie added.

11/2

2nd

3

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 1f 152y

Class 5

15:35 Plumpton

Furkash

11st 3lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

led, jumped right on occasions, mistake 1st, joined 3rd, raced in second when headed 4 out, kept on but no match for winner

13/2

Form: 11-55P CD

Last run: 67 days

W: 11st 6lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Ended latest campaign with two staying wins, in this race and at Newton Abbot (both on good) but he finished remote in both starts in the autumn and bled from the nose when pulled up at Hereford in February; looks risky after that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

6th Jun 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:50 Uttoxeter

Cobra Commander

10st 3lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

2m7f and 3m2f chase winner on good; if able to reproduce his Hereford effort (2m5f, good) last December he would be thereabouts but he's struggled to get in a serious blow in three subsequent starts, the latest over 3m; blinkers go on.

25/1

7th

12

30th May 2024

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:40 Warwick

Cobra Commander

10st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Tom Symonds

Dual winner at up to 3m2f (both good); without a win in over two years and well beaten in two starts this year.

33/1

Form: 2-F2FP

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 12lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Good efforts in both course starts, over hurdles and fences, going close over 3m2f here in December (good to soft) but fell either side of that and was pulled up at Chepstow last month; return to this track offers hope but has a confidence query for now.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:45 Taunton

Advantura

10st 12lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

in rear, mistake 1st, in touch with leaders when not fluent 7th, not fluent 8th, reminder before 9th, pushed along and lost ground after 11th, got behind after 14th, soon pulled up

12/1

9

23rd Mar 2023

Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:20 Chepstow

Advantura

11st 1lb

J: Micheal Nolan

T: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White

Fell in two of his first three chases but ran big race in defeat when close/clear second at Taunton (3m2f, good to soft) in between and may still have potential; can't be ruled out.

10/1

6

31st Jan 2023

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 5

14:15 Ffos Las

Advantura

10st 10lb

J: Tom O’Brien

T: Philip Hobbs

Perhaps travelled a bit too well for his own good when beaten narrowly on his second chase start at Taunton (3m2f, good to soft), finishing clear of the remainder; an 8lb rise seems harsh but he's considered nonetheless.

11/2

Form: 65255F

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Hasn't gone on over fences since finishing close up on chase debut in 2m handicap at Southwell in November, and he fell at Wetherby less than two weeks ago (minus aids, as today); however, he's not ruled out in a weak race.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

29th May 2023

Good

2m 5f 34y

Class 5

17:15 Cartmel

Mexican Boy

12st 0lb

J: Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: J J O’Shea

Maiden; second in a Southwell handicap chase last November (2m; RPR 101) but fell on latest two attempts and has left Olly Murphy; new trainer (also runs The Creadan Rogue) has good record in these races; market a help.

6/1

5

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:45 Taunton

Mexican Boy

11st 4lb

J: Fergus Gregory

T: Olly Murphy

in rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake 7th, some headway before 13th, in touch with leaders 14th, soon shaken up

11/2

8

31st Mar 2023

Soft

3m 0f 45y

Class 5

16:25 Wetherby

Mexican Boy

11st 4lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Olly Murphy

Runner-up at Southwell (2m, good) last November and his half-brother Mance Rayder has won at up to 3m4f; however, no threat when fifth over 2m the last twice and the suitability of this step up in trip is questionable.

12/1

Form: 32511-

Last run: 546 days

W: 11st 4lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Ended most recent campaign in very good form with wins at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) and Wincanton (3m1f, good to firm) but the latter win was in October 2021 and a lot to take on trust now having first run since.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

9th Sep 2023

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 4

16:50 Stratford

OFaolains Lad

10st 11lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Richenda Ford

led, pressed leader when headed 3rd, led 6th, headed 2 out, lost second last, kept on run-in, went second again inside final 110yds

4/1

2nd

3

24th Aug 2023

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 5

16:25 Stratford

OFaolains Lad

11st 3lb

J: Richie McLernon

T: Richenda Ford

prominent

7/1

6th

8

31st Jul 2023

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 4

14:45 Newton Abbot

OFaolains Lad

10st 2lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Richenda Ford

held up in rear, niggled along after 10th, pushed along before 5 out, soon no impression

5/1

Form: 221324

Last run: 164 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:45 Taunton

Bal Amie

11st 1lb

J: Miss Victoria Malzard

T: Oliver Sherwood

4th

4

31st Oct 2022

Good

3m 1f 152y

Class 5

14:45 Plumpton

Bal Amie

11st 1lb

J: Miss Victoria Malzard

T: Oliver Sherwood

prominent, hit 8th, pushed along from 12th, reminder after 14th, weakened 4 out, tailed off

8/1

2nd

4

11th Oct 2022

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:22 Huntingdon

Bal Amie

11st 2lb

J: Miss Victoria Malzard

T: Oliver Sherwood

held up in last, in touch with leaders 4th, outpaced and dropped to rear 11th, rallied and went remote second 2 out, no match for winner

4/1

Form: 6/6-85

Last run: 104 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 69

Form & Verdict
Minor form so far and suffered heavy defeats in two staying handicap chases here in December; has had wind surgery since; good deal to find.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

15

28th Apr 2023

Good

3m 2f 54y

Class 5

17:20 Chepstow

Botus Fleming

10st 2lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Jackie Du Plessis

Lightly raced for his age but looks a low-level maiden; second run since wind surgery; no form claims from 7lb out of the handicap.

50/1

9

13th Apr 2023

Good

2m 7f 3y

Class 5

15:45 Taunton

Botus Fleming

10st 2lb

J: Harry Kimber

T: Jackie Du Plessis

towards rear, in touch with leaders after 3rd, pushed along and lost ground after 11th, mistake 12th, soon ridden and beaten

33/1

5th

10

30th Dec 2022

Good

3m 2f 57y

Class 5

15:15 Taunton

Botus Fleming

10st 2lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Jackie Du Plessis

Unplaced all starts and this month's C&D chasing debut, when beaten 65l, didn't suggest he was on the verge of improving that statistic.

33/1

Non-runners

Bal Amie

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.20
Straight Forecast £20.90
Tricast £62.83
Trifecta £62.00

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Imperial Joe

POSTDATA:

Furkash

The Star:

Advantura

D Express:

Mexican Boy

TOPSPEED:

Milanford

Telegraph:

Bal Amie

The Guardian:

O'Faolains Lad

RP Ratings:

Imperial Joe

The Times:

Imperial Joe

Daily Mail:

Imperial Joe

Daily Mirror:

Imperial Joe

WEST COUNTRY:

Furkash

The Sun:

Furkash

Daily Record:

Furkash